Old Baiji Tunnel Introduction
The renovation of the old Baiji Tunnel in Daxi has been completed, and it will be open to the public for visits on November 2, 2025. For more details, please refer to the link: https://www.scenic.tycg.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=9476&s=1591510. Baiji Tunnel: A Dual-Track Memory Traversing Time Are you ready to head to the Baiji Tunnel? Make sure you know whether it's the "New Tunnel" or the "Old Tunnel"! Along Taiwan Route 7, connecting Cihu and Fuxing, both the new and old tunnels coexist — the New Baiji Tunnel serves as a two-way roadway, while the Old Tunnel has been transformed into a recreational pathway. These two tunnels have quietly witnessed over half a century of historical changes. The Past and Present of the Old Tunnel To understand the origin of the Baiji Tunnel, we must return to the strategic past of the Baiji area. Formerly known as "Bajie", Baiji was a vital route from Daxi to Jiaoban Mountain. In 1944, the Japanese excavated a tunnel here that served pedestrian, air defense, and evacuation functions, also acting as a strategic point at Jiaoban Mountain. After being interrupted due to landslides, it was not until 1965 that it was restored for passage, which is now the Old Baiji Tunnel. The tunnel is approximately 343 meters long and 4.5 meters wide; the southern entrance still bears the inscription by then-Provincial Governor Huang Jie stating, "Baiji Tunnel, North Section Crossroad." The old tunnel was originally a single-lane passage, and the scene of military police directing traffic at the tunnel entrance remains an unforgettable memory for many locals. It wasn't until 1993 that the New Baiji Tunnel was completed, marking the end of transportation tasks for the old tunnel. In 2007, the old tunnel was once again transformed, this time into a tourist pathway. Visitors can see the light railway and handcart exhibits from the Japanese occupation period in the tunnel; these small carts, once used for transporting people and goods and pushed by hand, have become nostalgic photo spots today. The old tunnel can also connect to the Governor's Office Trail and the Baiji Lin Yin Trail, becoming a hidden gem along the northern cross-island tourism route. A New Chapter Merging Ecology and History After undergoing two closures and transformations, the Old Baiji Tunnel completed a six-month optimization renovation in October 2025 and has officially reopened. This upgrade is centered around the core concept of "sustainable tourism," balancing historical memory and ecological preservation, making it the first tunnel in Taiwan to feature an ecological observation pool. In addition to a comprehensive update of the tunnel’s exhibitions, the surrounding habitat area has been expanded to maintain the cleanliness and flow of spring water, creating a diverse biological habitat. The tunnel's internal lighting utilizes low color temperature and amber light sources, with appropriate dimming at night to maintain a natural day-night rhythm, leaving a friendly space for wildlife. After rehabilitation, stable populations of Taiwan's endemic species such as the Formosan Black Frog, the La's Creek Crab, and the Taiwan Rice Shrimp have been observed, making it an ideal site for nature observation and ecological education. Today’s Old Baiji Tunnel is not just a time tunnel to history; it is also a new starting point connecting nature, culture, and sustainable tourism.
